The debate on motorcycles is a hot-button topic. You either love them passionately, or you hate them just as much.
Yes, a bike has some fundamental dangers, and the odds of getting injured if you’re in a crash skyrocket. But if you’ve ever ridden one, you understand why so many people dream of owning their own motorcycle.
What’s the thrill behind this machine? Here are a few of the reasons die-hard bikers will tell you they won’t give up their motorcycle.
1. The Freedom (and the Rush) of the Open Air
The wish to fly is a goal humans have had for millennia. There are ancient stories of gods and mortals flying that date as far back as recorded civilization.
When you ride a motorcycle, this “wish” almost comes true. With the wind in your face and nothing around you, speeding down the highway gives you the freedom of flying while you’re still touching the ground.
Right now, nothing else exists that gives you the same sense of flight and control. Add to this the flexibility of being able to fit almost anywhere a car can’t go, and you start to recognize where the passion of riding a bike begins to take root.
2. The Speed
If you’re a thrill-seeker, riding a roller coaster or jumping out of a plane is an occasional opportunity to feel the high. But if you have your own motorcycle, you can get the speed and power that you crave every time you hop on the bike.
When you’re riding, even doing the speed limit is an adrenaline rush. Turning the handle and revving the motor is addicting.
As long as you’re operating your controls safely and wearing protective gear, your bike is a good place to get your dopamine and adrenaline fix. However, with so many motorcycle accidents that aren’t the biker’s fault, it’s essential to follow the safety rules so you can keep enjoying the ride.
3. The Camaraderie
Everyone wants to fit in somewhere. When you own a bike, you’re part of a tribe that sees beyond boundaries and borders. A biker is a biker, no matter their gender, race, age, ethnicity, or other characteristics.
As a biker, no one cares if you have a high IQ, money, or prestige. It’s about being part of an elite community that only requires one thing: a motorcycle of any kind.
On your travels, you’ll always meet new riders and make new friends. Bikers have a code of honor, waving to complete strangers when they pass other riders. At bike shows and events, the bikers band together.
Building a friendship based on this type of solid foundation establishes bonds you might not get anywhere else. Your biker group has your back, and so does every other group of bikers when the cause is right.
4. The Tension Reduction
Life is stressful for everyone at some point. We all need a way to relieve this stress.
If you don’t have a healthy outlet that you’re comfortable with, you could turn to drugs, alcohol, and other dangerous methods of avoidance.
Or, you could ride your motorcycle.
The exhilaration and freedom of riding a bike is a natural stress reliever. You don’t need a destination or a reason to ride. Hop on the back of the bike, drive a few miles in any direction, and you’ll be calmer within minutes.
Any time you’re ready to forget your troubles and get away for a little while, as a motorcycle owner, you have an automatic strategy to do it.
5. The Exercise
How can sitting on a seat and riding around town be exercise? If you’ve ridden a motorcycle, you know the answer to that question.
There’s no age limit for a biker. If you can see and move your arms and legs, you can ride a bike.
People who normally have a lot of pain from previous injuries say they forget about their discomfort when they’re riding.
You need to use many of your muscles in controlled movements to steer, slow down, turn, and angle. This burns calories, teaches balance, and builds endurance. So, the longer you ride, the stronger your muscles become.
Conclusion
Owning a motorcycle is a dream millions of people have, but not everyone gets to make it come true. When you do, your bike becomes a precious possession that you become very protective over.
The thrill of having your own bike is unlike anything someone who doesn’t ride can understand.